Entrepreneur

First, let us say congratulations! We’ve all had that great business idea, the one little niche we know we could fill if we just had the resources, or the capital. But to get to the point where you seriously consider investment options takes hard work, dedication, and more than a few sleepless nights. So, at RDI we’d thought we’d share this pearl of wisdom with you: your next step is crucial in the make or

If you’d asked us at RDI when we were but children, we’d never have been able to predict the extent of technology’s synthesis into the modern vernacular; and why it means your business needs an app. Back then, we had to call our mates on our landline, only after 7pm (because then it was free), and we had to hang-up if someone needed to use the internet. Yes, it was a dire as it sounds.

You’ve carefully created your business idea, done your research, written your business plan and now, all that is left, is that crucial investment that’ll make the difference between your business soaring or slumping. There is just one vital step between you and said investment from an investor, and that is your business pitch. One way to an investors heart is to sell them on a winning pitch. If your pitch is gold, no doubt

If you’ve opened this blog, then we at Raj Dhonota Investments know you’re an artist. It is, of course, the foundation of every good entrepreneur. That’s because you’ve got an idea that shines solid gold, one that the world needs, that you’d ultimately defend. If these words feel like home, at RDI, have we got a blog for you! Now your idea is revved up and ready for ignition, then there are a few things

A solid, impressive business plan is the foundation upon which your business can then be built. Your plan is therefore a vital piece of work that, if done correctly, can set you on your way to achieving your entrepreneurial goals. If your business plan isn’t up to scratch, then of course there are consequences. For a start it will turn off investors. Furthermore, a poorly designed and calculated business plan makes you vulnerable to unforeseen

Based on multiple statistics and metrics, the United States has an extremely healthy entrepreneurial landscape. According to a report published by the Global Entrepreneurship Market last year, 27 million Americans are “starting or running new businesses.” That number reflects a record high, and it displays how the idea of launching a successful startup has become the modern realisation of the American dream. However, things still aren’t necessary idyllic for the average entrepreneur. According to Forbes,

So your idea is your passion, your be all and end all? You’re certain it’s going to be successful. You want me to invest, but you won’t?! What message does that give to any potential investor? Let me tell you. It tells a potential investor that alarm bells should be ringing – not necessarily about the business idea, but about that person’s commitment and ability to make things happen. I don’t doubt that in many

You may be a successful employee but does that guarantee you will be a successful entrepreneur? Not necessarily. The step from employment to self-employment is not a natural one. I’ve come across a lot of extremely successful employees who struggle to make the transition to successful entrepreneur. Why is that? One of the major reasons is that employees underestimate the nature of the task ahead of them and the skills they will need. First and

When starting a business it is important to have the right business partners on board; in any walk of life it is essential that you are supported by a good team that can encourage and help you, but with Start Ups it’s even more so. Whilst investing in start-ups and having investment discussions, I see a lot of common mistakes, but one appears to be more apparent than most when there is more than

At the beginning of this year I challenged myself to dedicate 2014 to investing in and growing two start- ups a week. This task I have set myself may be well under way, but for the aspiring Entrepreneurs I am investing in the journey is just beginning. Deciding to start your own business is not for the faint hearted. The hard work that goes into creating and developing a business should never be under estimated.

Just last month I was asked to partake in a panel at the House of Lords to talk about what the government could do to encourage, support and nurture small businesses in order to ensure continual growth and success and, in doing so, boost the UK economy as a whole. It was my work with start-ups and hands-on experience with various ongoing ventures – as well as my own entrepreneurial tendencies – that prompted the

Of all the entrepreneurs currently doing their thing out there, were you looking to identify the one most likely to inspire and bring forth a nation of new budding entrepreneurs then, unquestionably, you’d be pointing your finger at Sir Richard Branson. To me, personally, Sir Richard is without doubt one of the best entrepreneurs of our time. And I’m well aware I’m not the only one who thinks along those lines. Both the man and

An entrepreneurship in motion without any direction or momentum is akin to no motion at all. Business startups are aplenty in this economic age, but not every one of them builds the right kind of momentum to really take off the ground. To ensure you are successful as an entrepreneur means you have gained enough momentum to continuously charter your course as the business landscape shifts. A lot of that momentum is going to come

Once you’ve clearly laid out your business plans, moving forward undoubtedly requires talking to investors and reeling them in. This can often be best described as a daunting task. Most well-known investors come across plenty of pitches on a day to day basis and quite simply don’t have the time or energy to meet everyone with a fresh business proposition. Furthermore, it isn’t unusual at all for aspiring entrepreneurs to speak to more than 50

Spanning the last few decades, we've managed to subconsciously embed this thought into our minds that education and entrepreneurship do not go hand in hand. While the former has to do with learning and fathoming new skills, the latter is the process of marching forward with an initiative and starting a new business. The fact that entrepreneurship is among the keystones of stable economic growth is a well-established one. Developed nations around the globe generously

Let’s face it: acquiring sufficient capital and taking bold risks to embark on a business venture isn't everybody’s bag. It’s a whole different ball game and some folks find it hard to adjust to the new landscape. It takes a certain kind of entrepreneurial mindset to boldly go down this road. Core Flexibility When setting out to start a business, know that you no longer have just one job description to fulfill, with a clearly

You’re an aspiring young businessman. You have vision, drive, determination and you’re willing to do what’s needed to overtake the competition. But do you have what it takes to pull through hard times when your profits are less than satisfactory? Some of these traits can help your entrepreneurship thrive. Let’s face it: you’re not just in it for the money. If you have taken the painstaking task of investing in a business and boldly taking